There’s no shortage of great museums to check out in Massachusetts. And while each one has something unique and interesting to show, not all of them are going to be exciting, or even suited, for younger children. Here’s a list of some of the area's best that kids are sure to have a great time at.
Museum of Science
From dinosaur fossils to interactive nanotech exhibits, the Museum of Science has a little bit of everything. With a full-sized model of the Apollo Command Module, kids can crawl through and see what it was like for astronauts while learning more about space exploration.
1 Science Park, Boston, 617-723-2500, mos.org
New England Aquarium
A penguin that sounds like a donkey, a 4-story tall tank, and the largest IMAX screen in New England are just some of the things you will find at the New England Aquarium. You'll also have the opportunity to touch a variety of sea creatures including mussels, sea stars, and sharks.
1 Central Wharf, Boston, 617-973-5200, neaq.org
Boston Children's Museum
Boston Children’s Museum features a variety of hands-on exhibits to engage kids in creative and learning experiences. One such exhibit allows kids to explore the world of the WGBH-produced children show, Arthur. Other popular exhibits include the Construction Zone, Bubbles, and the Art Studio.
308 Congress St., Boston, 617-426-6500, bostonchildrensmuseum.org
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum immerses visitors in the world of the American Revolution with 3D reenactments, artifacts from the time period, and the chance to throw a tea crate into the water.
306 Congress St., Boston, 866-955-0667, bostonteapartyship.com
USS Constitution Museum
The USS Constitution Museum teaches visitors about the history of the ship and the war of 1812 through interactive exhibits for guests to engage with. Visitors can experience for themselves what life was like for sailors on the USS Constitution in the All Hands on Deck: A Sailor's Life in 1812 exhibit.
USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown, 617-426-1812, ussconstitutionmuseum.org
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts offers a variety of family oriented programs for kids to enjoy, and free admission for kids year round. They also give out family activity totes which are bags filled with a sketchpad, colored pencils, and other things to help your little ones enjoy their trip to the museum.
465 Huntington Ave., Boston, 617-267-9300, mfa.org
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Home to thousands of illustrations, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art focuses on encouraging a love of art and literature in children. In addition to their exhibits, the museum hosts a multitude of events to get kids engaged in art and reading.
125 West Bay Rd., Amherst, 413-559-6300, carlemuseum.org
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has an entire section of the museum, called Kidspace, where kids can check out an art gallery curated just for them. Kidspace also offers kids the opportunity to create their own artwork.
1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, 413-662-2111, massmoca.org
Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Harvard Museum of Natural History has exhibits on all sorts of species from all around the globe. The museum also has exhibits about forests, climate change, fruit decay and more.
26 Oxford St, Cambridge, 617-495-3045, hmnh.harvard.edu
Discovery Museum
With things to do both inside and out, the Discovery Museum has tons to keep children entertained for hours. The museum also has special free admission hours for families with children with an ASD, vision loss, or hearing loss, as part of their "Especially for Me" event series. These events require online registration. For dates and more information visit their website.
177 Main St., Acton, 978-264-4200, discoveryacton.org
EcoTarium
The EcoTarium has three floors filled with interactive exhibits to enjoy, along with a multitude of outdoor activities including hikes through the forest, train rides, and more. The museum is also home to a 360-degree digital planetarium that kids love.
222 Harrington Way, Worcester, 508-929-2700, ecotarium.org
Worcester Art Museum
Every weekend at the Worcester Art Museum, they have something fun going on for kids. Whether it's touch carts, or arm and armor demonstrations, there’s a lot going on for the little ones to enjoy.
55 Salisbury St., Worcester, 508-799-4406, worcesterart.org
